Team Cheerfulness Rowing the Atlantic for Crossroads Care

🚣‍♂️ Team Cheerfulness: The First Isle of Man Duo To Row Across The Atlantic

This January 2026, Mike and Tim, lifelong friends and Team Cheerfulness will attempt to become the first pair from the Isle of Man to row 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, completely unsupported. We are taking on this challenge to raise money for Crossroads Care Isle of Man, a charity that supports unpaid carers who dedicate their lives to looking after others. We will face 30ft waves, sleep deprivation, blazing sun and freezing nights all in a 30ft boat in one of the worlds most brutal endurance challenges. Why? Because we have dreamt of this since we were 14 years old and now we have the opportunity to make a lifelong dream a reality.

Meet the Crew: Mike & Tim - Team Cheerfulness

Mike and Tim, two friends who have shared a love for the sea, adventure and testing our limits since we were children. Our friendship began in the Isle of Man and has lasted over 40 years.
The seed for this expedition was planted when we were just 14 years old, after completing a tough 7 hour row from Ramsey to Laxey. It was exhausting, a little bit reckless and completely unforgettable. That is when the dream was born: “One day, let’s row an ocean!”
Now that day has come!

🌊 The Challenge: The Atlantic Ocean Like You have Never Imagined

This is not a leisurely sail. This is one of the most extreme endurance tests on Earth. Starting from Tenerife , we will row over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to Jolly Harbour in Antigua.

Here is what we will be facing:
🌊 Waves taller than double decker buses (up to 30 feet)
💨 Sudden storms that can appear with no warning
🔥 Scorching 40°C+ days and freezing nights
💤 2 hour shifts around the clock - 2 hours rowing, 2 hours sleeping - 24/7 for up to 90 days
🧂 Salt sores, sleep deprivation, hallucinations and relentless physical exhaustion
🍽️ Living off freeze dried meals and desalinated seawater
🐟 Encounters with flying fish, marlins, sharks and possibly even whales
🧠 Mental pressure of isolation, missing family and friends, navigation and maintaining morale day after day

There is no support boat. Everything we need, such as food, equipment and a medical kit, must be carried with us from day one.

Our 25ft ocean rowing boat will be our home, gym, kitchen, and shelter for up to 90 days.

❤️ The Cause: Crossroads Care Isle of Man

We are rowing not just to chase a dream, but to give back.
We are raising money for Crossroads Care, a Manx charity that provides essential respite, support and services to carers, people who look after family members day in and day out, often with no break, no pay, and little recognition.

Caring is one of the toughest jobs there is and this is our chance to support the people who make life better for others.

💷 Where Your Donations Goes

Part of the funds will go toward essential expedition costs, including:

Emergency & safety equipment
Life saving satellite communication gear
Navigation and weather systems
Freeze dried rations for the full journey
Medical kits, solar panels and boat repairs
Shipping and logistics

All remaining funds go directly to Crossroads Care Isle of Man to help local carers and their families.

Every donation brings us one step closer to the start line and one oar stroke closer to Antigua.

Join Us

This is a journey over 3,200 miles of open ocean, but we cannot do it without your support.

Donate whatever you can
Share our story with friends, family, and the community
Follow our journey as we row across the Atlantic on our Facebook and Instagram @cheerfulnessatlanticrow

Together, we can make history for the Isle of Man and raise funds for the people who give so much to others.

Thank you for being part of our team. Let’s do this!

Mike & Tim
Team Cheerfulness